Knitted fabric article

ABSTRACT

A knitted fabric article, one or a plurality of dissimilarly bright and dark regions which transition into one another in a stepless manner being configured on the knitted fabric article external side of said knitted fabric article, which has a knitted base fabric composed of at least one knitted base fabric thread, wherein the knitted base fabric is embodied as a knitted compression fabric and/or as a thin knitted fabric which in the worn position is transparent.

The invention relates to a knitted fabric article, one or a plurality of dissimilarly bright and dark regions which transition into one another in a stepless manner being configured on the knitted fabric article external side of said knitted fabric article, which has a knitted base fabric composed of at least one knitted base fabric thread.

A knitted fabric article of this type is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 1,654,064. This knitted fabric article is embodied as a lady's stocking. Said knitted fabric article in the front and the rear region, thus in the regions along the tibia and the front side of the upper leg as well as in the region of the calf and the rear side of the upper leg, has darker regions, that is regions which are darker than the color of the respective region that is laterally adjacent thereto, wherein the bright and dark regions transition into one another in a stepless manner. It is achieved in this way that the leg of the wearer appears to be slimmer that is to say that on account of this shaded effect, or on account of this “contouring”, an optical effect is achieved in such a manner that the leg appears to be more slender or thinner than it really is. The optical effect in the case of this knitted fabric article, or stocking, respectively, known from the prior art is relatively minor, said optical effect being based solely on the coloration, or the shaded effect, of the knitted fabric article external side.

The invention is thus based on the object of specifying a knitted fabric article which is improved in comparison to the above.

In order for this object to be achieved, a knitted fabric article, one or a plurality of dissimilarly bright and dark regions which transition into one another in a stepless manner being configured on the knitted fabric article external side of said knitted fabric article, which has a knitted base fabric composed of at least one knitted base fabric thread is provided according to the invention, wherein the knitted base fabric is embodied as a knitted compression fabric and/or as a thin knitted fabric which in the worn position is transparent.

The knitted fabric article according to the invention by means of a double effect or triple effect causes a more slender appearance of the body portion on which the knitted fabric article is worn, so to speak, that is to say that the real effect, or visual effect, respectively, is significantly improved in comparison to knitted fabric articles known to date. According to a first alternative, the knitted fabric article according to the invention is embodied as a knitted compression fabric article, composed of a knitted base fabric from at least one knitted base fabric thread, optionally also a plurality of knitted base fabric threads, wherein in a refinement of the invention at least one elastic, compressive, weft or support thread can be inserted or interknitted in the knitted base fabric, said weft or support thread running through the knitted basic fabric loops, or optionally also being interknitted with the latter. This means that the knitted fabric article inherently has a compressive property such as is defined in particular when an elastic weft or support thread is incorporated, for example defined in the RAL-GZ387/1 quality assurance code “Medical compression hosiery”, of the Gutezeichengemeinschaft Medizinische Kompressionsstrumpfe e.V. (Quality Seal Association for Medical Compression Stockings), or else in DIN 58133 relating to medical compression stockings. These rules which relate to medical compression stockings define for the compression stockings specific compressive pressure values which are exerted on the leg, or various compression classes, respectively, which are based on dissimilar compressive pressure intervals and the like. In principle, a knitted compression fabric in comparison to others, in part also elastic, knitted fabrics is distinguished in that a significantly high pressure is applied to the surrounding tissue in a local or global manner by way of the knitted compression fabric. This pressure is far higher than the pressure which is exerted by a normal, optionally also elastic, item of clothing. This high pressure, if not already by way of the knitted base fabric per se, can be generated by optionally incorporating at least one elastic, compressive thread, for example in the form of a weft or support thread which thread is inserted into the knitted base fabric and/or is interknitted in a loop-forming manner therein.

A corresponding local or global pressure, for example also for therapeutic purposes, is exerted by way of such a knitted compression fabric, said pressure resulting from the high pressure on the tissue or the region of the body being situated under said knitted compression fabric. However associated with this high pressure, is also corresponding shaping of the part of the body, for example the leg, which is covered by the knitted compression fabric article. As a result of the high pressure, or the pressure profile across the length of the compression region, respectively, said part of the body is shaped in a corresponding manner, that is to say that the shape varies in comparison to the shape of the leg without a worn knitted compression fabric article. According to the invention, this first effect of the pressure-related shaping of the leg is now superimposed by a second effect of shaping the leg in a visually related manner in that the knitted fabric article by way of bright and dark regions is shaded in a corresponding manner. This means that two effects are superimposed, specifically the active geometric shaping of the region by way of the knitted compression fabric article, on the one hand, and the visual “shaping of the region” by way of the targeted shaded effect, on the other hand.

Proceeding from stockings known to date, such as the stocking described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,654,064, for example, which is a commercially available lady's stocking, a substantially better shaping of the leg is consequently enabled on account of the embodiment as a knitted compression fabric article, since two effects are superimposed on one another, as described, specifically the active, real shaping of the leg by way of the compressive properties of the knitted compression fabric article, on the one hand, and the visual “shaping of the leg” on account of the shaded effect, or the configuration of the bright and dark regions which transition into one another in a stepless manner, respectively, on the other hand. It has very surprisingly been demonstrated that substantially more efficient and substantially more effective “shaping of the region” in comparison to the purely visual effect known to date is possible on account of said two effects being combined.

At the same time, the embodiment as a knitted compression fabric article, in comparison to “normal” shade-effect stockings or knitted fabric articles known to date, of course offers the possibility of a therapeutically or medically relevant compression of the covered region of the body, for example of the leg, such that the knitted fabric article according to the invention, apart from the specific, mutually superimposed shaping effects, additionally also has this effect.

Alternatively, it is provided according to the invention that the knitted base fabric is a thin knitted fabric which in the worn position is transparent. Said transparent knitted fabric has local, darker regions. This means that the knitted base fabric is composed of a quasi-transparent, translucent knitted fabric. The fact that the bright basic appearance in the worn position, for example in the case of the stocking, is additionally determined by the skin of the wearer that is visible or shines through the transparent knitted base fabric is exploited here. The darker region or regions on or at, respectively, this bright knitted base fabric, which is knitted, for example, from one or a plurality of knitted base fabric threads, which have a basic color similar to that of the skin, is/are generated by way of the variance of generations yet to be described hereunder. This means that the knitted fabric article, for example the stocking, is inherently bright and is locally finished with darker regions. When the knitted fabric article is not being worn, said knitted fabric article does not have to be transparent or translucent, respectively, which means that the transparency in this case results only once the knitted fabric article has been put on to wear and is stretched herein.

A double effect results here too, specifically on account of the variation in terms of color by way of the portions which transition into one another in stepless manner, on the one hand, and on account of the transparency of the knitted fabric and the skin that in the worn position shines therethrough, on the other hand, this leading to a knitted fabric which in visual terms forms a less obvious layer and which is thus barely visible or appears to be very “bright”. In particular, the shaded effects have a stronger effect on account of the darker regions, such that an even better visual shaping results.

If, as is likewise provided according to the invention, the shaded effect is implemented by way of the brighter and darker regions, the embodiment of the knitted base fabric is implemented as a knitted compression fabric, and the embodiment of the knitted base fabric, or in the instance of the knitted compression fabric, respectively, is implemented as a knitted fabric which in the worn position is transparent and translucent, a triple effect thus even results, since all three effects are advantageously superimposed. There is the visual shaping by way of the brighter and darker regions which alternate in a stepless manner, on the one hand, furthermore there is the active shaping by way of the knitted compression fabric, and finally there is the additional visual shaping on account of the transparent, translucent embodiment of the knitted compression fabric. This “maximum embodiment” enables outstanding “shaping” of the covered region and delivers the best possible result. The knitted compression fabric herein can also be embodied with or without an incorporated weft or support thread.

As described, the bright and dark regions transition into one another in a stepless manner. This is to be understood such that, to the extent technically possible in the context of the dissimilar ways in which the different regions are generated, this yet to be discussed hereunder, an ideally stepless or edge-free transition is to be implemented such that a visually stepless profile results in particular in the worn position by virtue of the stretching of the knitted fabric. When the knitted fabric article is not being worn and consequently is not being stretched, by virtue of the contracted shape it is possible that in visual terms a harsher, slightly stepped transition, or a transition with slight edges, results.

As explained, one of the main effects in terms of the “shaping of the region” is the targeted highlighting, also referred to as “contouring”, which is achieved by the variable coloration on the external side of the knitted compression fabric article. This means that differences in terms of brightness are defined in a local manner in said regions, this leading to a visual effect in the worn position. Various possibilities are conceivable in terms of the configuration of these dissimilarities in terms of brightness.

According to a first alternative of the invention, the dissimilarities in terms of brightness can be achieved by printing or coloration the knitted base fabric, the latter potentially being a knitted compression fabric, a transparent, non-compressive knitted fabric, or a transparent knitted compression fabric. This means that a printed color is printed onto the external side of the knitted fabric article, or of the knitted base fabric, respectively, by way of a printing method, for example the transfer printing method using a paper, or in a direct printing method. Alternatively, coloration the knitted base fabric in a color bath is also possible, which means that the color in this case penetrates the entire knitted fabric article, or the knitted base fabric, respectively. It is conceivable herein that the knitted base fabric has a base color and is only locally printed or dyed. This means that the knitted base fabric consequently has a base brightness, for example, and is printed or dyed so as to be darker or brighter only in a local manner, for example, wherein the portion having the base color transitions into the brighter or darker printed or dyed region in a stepless manner. In this alternative, the dyed base color of the knitted base fabric is utilized as the external color that remains visible.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that the knitted base fabric is also completely printed or dyed. In this case, the knitted base fabric, the latter potentially being compressive or transparent or both, is printed or dyed in terms of the bright as well as the dark regions, wherein the stepless shaded effect is achieved by way of this complete printing or this complete coloration. In this context, it is to be pointed out that the term “completely printed or dyed” means that the knitted base fabric in the region in which the visual highlighting is to take place is completely printed or dyed on the external side but not in other regions where no visual highlighting is required. In the case of a pantyhose, complete printing or coloration would take place, for example, so as to start from the ankle region up to the end of the upper leg, but not necessarily in the region of the foot part or else of the panty or the torso part. It is substantial herein that the base color, or the base brightness, respectively, of the knitted base fabric upon printing or coloration is no longer visible on the external side.

It is conceivable herein that the knitted base fabric is composed of a plurality of knitted base fabric threads which in terms of the printed color or the dyed color have dissimilar color uptake properties. This means that the knitted base fabric is composed of knitted base fabric threads which have dissimilar color uptakes or printing color uptakes, thus take-up colors or color to a dissimilar degree. For example, the knitted base fabric is composed of three knitted base fabric threads, of which two take up color, but one does not. This leads to color being taken up locally, specifically by these threads, also within the knitted base fabric. There now is the possibility of interknitting said dissimilar threads only locally, for example, thus of configuring corresponding zones in which only the knitted base fabric threads which take up color are present, for example and zones in which the knitted base fabric thread that does not take up any color is additionally interknitted, for example, as well as zones which is composed only of one knitted base fabric thread that does not take up any color, for example. This means that influence on the color take-up capability and thus on the local design embodiment of the dyed areas can be taken up also by way of the corresponding choice of thread and the local combination of threads. This is expedient for example when the knitted fabric article is dyed. This is because there is in this instance the possibility that when regions which are to retain the base brightness are knitted from a knitted base fabric thread which does not take up any color, and regions to be dyed comprise the additional knitted base fabric thread or threads that take up color, the knitted fabric article is completely brought into a dye bath with the result that the coloration takes place only in a local manner at the regions equipped to this end. The same of course also applies in analogous manner in the case of printing; large-area printing can also take place in this case, wherein the take-up of the printing dye here too takes place only in the regions correspondingly equipped to this end. This means that there is the possibility that the knitted base fabric thread or threads that take-up color are precisely interknitted only locally into the knitted base fabric.

There is moreover also the possibility that the loop count of the knitted base fabric thread or threads that take up the color continuously decreases in the stepless transition region from one region to the neighboring region. This means that by varying the loop count in the stepless transition region, the thread volume that takes up color is in particular inevitably also varied, this being expedient for the configuration of a stepless transition, since the quantity of color available locally is inevitably also varied on account of the variation of the thread volume that takes up color.

Alternatively to printing or dyeing, it is also conceivable for the knitted base fabric article to be produced from a plurality of knitted base fabric threads, wherein the dissimilarly bright regions are formed by dissimilarly bright knitted base fabric threads. According to this alternative of the invention, the color variation is thus generated by using knitted base fabric threads of different colors which form the knitted base fabric, irrespective of the type of the latter. For example, the knitted base fabric is knitted from one knitted fabric thread, or a plurality of knitted fabric threads, that has/have a first bright color. In order for the shaded effect, or the darker knitted fabric portions, respectively, to be configured, one additional knitted base fabric thread, or a plurality of additional knitted base fabric threads, optionally also of only a slightly different color, is/are interknitted, for example in that additional part-courses, or additional loops and similar, are locally interknitted so as to configure the stepless transition region or else the uniformly dark dyed portion. It is of course important herein that said knitted base fabric threads that cause the color shaded effect are interknitted such that said knitted base fabric threads are to be seen on the external side of the knitted fabric article, or come to lie on said external side, respectively.

Here too, the loop count of the knitted base fabric threads that have a dissimilar color can continuously decrease in the stepless transition region from one region to the neighboring region, which means that the corresponding desired color profile, or the stepless transition, respectively, is configured by knitting technology by way of a variable loop count.

Additionally, it is conceivable for the weft thread to also be utilized for configuring a region of different color in that a correspondingly colored weft thread which at least in part is knitted in a loop-forming manner on the knitted fabric external side is interknitted. This means that the weft thread here too participates in the coloration.

A third alternative according to the invention provides that a knitted base fabric which in terms of the external color is thermally sensitive is configured, and the dissimilarly bright regions are generated by an at least local thermal treatment. This means that one knitted base fabric thread or a plurality of knitted base fabric threads which can permanently change their color by corresponding heating is/are used. This means that a change of hue or color takes place at corresponding heating. Said change of view or change of color is initiated in that the knitted base fabric, which here too can be either compressive or non-compressive but translucent, transparent, or both, is correspondingly heated in the regions in which the stepless transition, or else the homogenous darker or brighter coloration, is to be generated until the corresponding temperature for the change of hue is reached. A corresponding shaded effect can also be achieved in this manner.

There is also the possibility herein that the knitted base fabric, in addition to the knitted base fabric thread, or the knitted base fabric threads, that so to speak forms/form the basic knitted base fabric, in the region in which a change of hue is to take place is equipped or knitted, respectively, so as to comprise one or a plurality of thermally sensitive knitted base fabric threads. Here too, a variable loop count can be provided in the transition region, thus in the region of the stepless shaded effect, which means that the loop count of the thermally sensitive knitted base fabric thread or threads is locally varied in this region. This only local incorporation of the thermally sensitive knitted base fabric thread or threads in turn enables global heating of the entire knitted fabric article since the change of hue takes place only on the thermally sensitive knitted base fabric threads which are present only in a localized manner.

If the knitted fabric article, or the knitted base fabric, respectively, is embodied as a knitted compression fabric and not so as to be thin and transparent, there is the possibility that the knitted base fabric is a non-transparent dark knitted fabric which has local brighter regions. The converse case is thus provided here, so to speak. The knitted base fabric is dark and non-transparent, which means that the skin of the wearer of the lady's stocking, for example, does not shine through. The brighter regions which serve for highlighting are in this instance printed or dyed on the darker knitted compression base fabric, or are interknitted or thermally generated therein, as has been described above.

An alternative provides that the knitted compression base fabric is likewise embodied as a non-transparent knitted fabric which, in comparison to the base color of the knitted compression base fabric, has brighter and darker regions. In this case, the base color of the knitted base fabric is not visible on the external side, at least not in those regions that serve for highlighting. Rather, the darker and brighter regions or portions are actively configured by printing, dyeing, interknitting, etc., as has been described above.

According to one expedient refinement of the invention, the darker regions, in terms of the worn position, are provided on the lateral portions of the tubular knitted fabric article, the latter being either compressive, transparent, or both. In a stocking or a pantyhose, the darker regions are consequently on the sides, thus not at the front in the region of the tibia, of the patella, and of the front upper leg, and also not at the rear in the region of the calf, of the popliteal space, and of the rear upper leg region. In the case of an upper garment or a torso garment, the darker regions are likewise situated on the sides, they thus do not run across the stomach and the chest, or along the back, respectively. These lateral positions have proven to be particularly expedient in terms of the visual contouring, in particular in conjunction with the geometric shaping caused by the high compressive pressure in an embodiment as a knitted compression fabric.

The knitted fabric article per se can be, for example, an arm stocking or a leg stocking; an embodiment as a pantyhose is also conceivable as is the embodiment as an upper garment, for example in the form of a compressive T-shirt, or similar, or of a simple torso garment which covers only the region of the torso, for example to just below the chest.

If the knitted fabric article is embodied as a leg stocking or as a pantyhose, the darker regions thus preferably extend from the calf to beyond the upper leg.

In an embodiment of the knitted fabric article as a leg stocking or as a pantyhose, it is furthermore expedient for the knitted fabric article in the case of a knitted compression fabric to have a graduated pressure profile, wherein the highest pressure is in the region of the ankle. The pressure in the region of the ankle as well as preferably also of the calf is thus relatively high, in comparison with the pressure in the region of the upper leg, for example, which means that the pressure can drop from the ankle toward the calf and toward the upper leg. At a high pressure in the ankle region and a somewhat lower pressure in the calf region, a strong compression and thus a strong geometric shaping of the leg take place there such that, in conjunction with the additional visual highlighting on account of the coloration according to the invention, a particularly small appearance of the lower leg up to the knee is achieved.

The compression of the knitted compression fabric is substantially caused by the elastic, compressive weft or support thread which can be inserted into the knitted base fabric loops or can per se be knitted in a loop-forming manner. The geometric shaping of the region of the body, thus for example of the leg, takes place as described on account of the high compression of the weft or support thread, or of the knitted compression fabric article, respectively. If a graduated pressure profile is provided, the highest pressure can be in the region of the ankle, as has been discussed, said highest pressure for example being at approx. 10-45 mmHg and preferably dropping in the direction of the upper body. The pressure in the region of the calf can still be 80-90%, and in the region of the upper leg 60-80%, of the ankle pressure.

Furthermore, at least one knitted fabric thread can display a brilliant effect. A particular slimming effect can be achieved, for example, in conjunction with a transparent circular-knitted fabric in the case of a stocking or a pantyhose, as well as the provided shaded effect in terms of color, since a brilliant line is configured centrically, in particular on the front side, and a matt effect is configured peripherally, which is favorable in terms of the visual highlighting. Moreover, the leg also appears to be elongated and highlighted in the front and the rear region.

As described, the knitted compression fabric is composed of one knitted base fabric thread or a plurality of knitted base fabric threads, as well as at least one elastic, compressive weft thread. The height of the loops of the loops of the knitted base fabric, for example in a stocking or a pantyhose, can decrease in the direction of the ankle and otherwise be consistent across the remaining length of the knitted fabric article. Loops of identical height are preferably also provided in knitted fabric articles which are of a different embodiment. The fundamental geometry of the knitted compression fabric article, when not being worn, can be caused either by a variable loop count in the individual courses such that a conical shape results, for example. Alternatively, the same loop count per course can also be at all times present in the courses, and the conical shape can be generated by the weft thread which runs through the courses. The loops of the knitted base fabric can also be knitted such that different loop sizes results when worn.

As explained, two or three effects for causing a “shaping of regions of the body” are superimposed in the knitted fabric article according to the invention, on the one hand the effect of the active shaping of regions on account of the compressive effect of the knitted compression fabric article, said compressive effect being able to be varied in a local manner depending on the design concept of the knitted compression fabric article and the pressure profile, consequently specific regions being able to be correspondingly shaped in a targeted manner.

Alternatively, the knitted fabric article as described can be thin and transparent such that the skin can shine through, this thus resulting in visual lightness and the knitted basic fabric forming only a minimal layer. As described, the compressive embodiment and the transparent embodiment can also be combined. This is superimposed by the “visual shaping of regions” on account of the provided coloration or shaded effect, respectively. The shaded effect herein, in the embodiment as a knitted compression fabric, can be chosen as a function of the shaping of the region caused by the compression, so to speak. Depending on the design concept of the knitted compression fabric article in terms of the local pressure or the pressure profile, regions of the body which are compressed to a greater or lesser extent, and thus regions of the body which are actively geometrically shaped to a greater or lesser extent, result. The coloration now can be adapted thereto, which means that there is the possibility of choosing the coloration, or the shaded effect, respectively, in terms of the local disposal, the size or the width and length, respectively, as well as the shaded-effect or transition region, respectively, as a function of the local geometric shaping of the region obtained by way of the compression.

Further advantages and details of the present invention are derived from the exemplary embodiments described hereunder as well as by means of the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a view of the front, the back, and the sides of the legs of a person wearing a knitted fabric article according to the invention in the form of a pantyhose; and

FIGS. 4 to 6 show the corresponding views of a person wearing a commercially available pantyhose.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a partial view of a person 1, specifically of both legs 2, wherein the person 1 is wearing a knitted fabric article 3 according to the invention in the form of a pantyhose 4. The pantyhose 4 which clothes the two legs 2 is embodied as a knitted compression fabric article 5 and has a knitted base fabric which is composed of one knitted base fabric thread or a plurality of knitted base fabric threads, as well as of at least one elastic, compressive weft thread. The weft thread can be inserted into the knitted base fabric loops, or else said weft thread can also be interlooped with said knitted base fabric loops. The knitted fabric article 3 across the entire length of the two legs 2 is embodied as a knitted compression fabric article; the knitted base fabric article in the panty region and torso region adjoining above the two legs can also have lower or no compressive properties.

A “knitted compression fabric article” is understood to be a knitted fabric article which exerts in a targeted manner a compressive pressure on the region of the body covered by said knitted compression fabric article, here thus the legs 2, wherein said pressure is significantly higher than the pressure, usually a multiple thereof, that is exerted by a “normal” knitted fabric article, in the present case a “normal” pantyhose, which does not contain any compressive weft thread. Such a “normal” pantyhose is of course also capable of stretching and bears on the legs by way of a slight pressure. However, this slight pressure is not in any case comparable to the compressive pressure which is higher by a multiple and set in a targeted manner, and which the knitted compression fabric article according to the invention exerts on the leg.

For example, the knitted compression fabric article 5 is a medical compression stocking which, for example, corresponds to the quality and testing stipulations of RAL-GZ 387/1 “Medizinische Kompressionsstrumpfe” (Medical Compression Stockings) of the Gutezeichengemeinschaft Medizinische Kompressionsstrumpfe e.V. (Quality Seal Association for Medical Compression Stockings). However, this is not mandatory; the knitted compression fabric article 5, or the pantyhose here, respectively, can also be a pantyhose which is suitable as sportswear and which builds up a correspondingly high compressive pressure, or else a fashionable pantyhose which nevertheless builds up an adequately high compressive pressure.

In principle, the compressive pressure which the knitted compression fabric article 5 that is embodied as a stocking or presently as a pantyhose 4 exerts on the leg should be approx. 10-15 mmHg in the region of the ankle 6, 8-10 mmHg in the region of the calf 7, and 7-8 mmHg in the region of the upper leg 8, thus values which are a multiple of the “pressure values” which are a commercially available stocking, or a commercially available pantyhose exert. The pressure herein can decrease from the ankle 6 by way of the calf 7 towards the upper leg 8, a graduated pressure profile thus consequently being provided.

In any case, geometric shaping of the leg is achieved by way of the pressure that is exerted on the leg on account of the knitted compression fabric article 5, which means that the respective portion of the leg covered is correspondingly compressed on account of the local high pressure. A corresponding shaping of the leg inevitably results, said shaping being a function of the mobility of the covered tissue. This means that an active geometric shaping of the leg is achieved solely on account of the embodiment of the knitted fabric article 3 as a knitted compression fabric article 5, said active geometric shaping of the leg in particular leading to the region of the calf 7 as well as the region of the upper leg 8 being compressed, consequently thus anatomically pre-shaped. Since the shin bone and the calf bone run in the region of the front of the calf, for example, thus a certain bone structure that counteracts the compressive pressure is provided, compression takes place in the calf region on account of the compressive properties, in particular in the region of the sides of the calf, which means that, when viewed from the front or the rear, the calf overall is shaped so to be somewhat slimmer on account of the knitted compression fabric article. The same applies in an analogous manner also in the region of the upper leg, the latter however being more muscular, or having more tissue, respectively, than the calf region.

According to the invention, in addition to said geometric shaping of the respective leg 2 caused by the compression, a “visual shaping of the leg” is also provided in that the knitted fabric article 3, or the knitted compression fabric article 5, respectively, locally has brighter and darker regions which transition into one another in a stepless manner. In the example shown, darker regions 9, 10 are configured in the region of the calf 7 as well as darker regions 11, 12 are configured in the region of the upper leg 8 on the knitted fabric article external side. As is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and in particular in FIG. 3, said darker regions are situated only on the sides of the respective leg part of the pantyhose but not on the front and the rear side, thus not in the region of the shin bone and calf bone as well as of the front upper leg and also not in the region of the rear calf as well as of the rear upper leg. There, correspondingly brighter regions 13, 14, and 15, 16, respectively, which are formed, for example, by the base color of the compressive, for example transparent, knitted base fabric, thus substantially by the base color of the knitted base fabric thread or threads, optionally of the weft thread, are provided.

As can be seen, the darker regions 9-12 transition in a stepless, thus steady, manner to the brighter regions 13-16, which in the figures is indicated by the shaded effect or by dashed lines. The darker regions in the central region can have a consistent darker coloration, just as the shaded effect can continuously vary from one side to the other.

The darker regions 9-12 can be generated, for example, by local printing or local dyeing of the knitted compression fabric article 5, or the knitted base fabric 6. It is conceivable herein that the knitted compression fabric is composed of dissimilar threads which have a dissimilar color take-up capability, or of threads which in principle take up color and threads which do not take up color, respectively. For example, it is conceivable to interknit the threads that take up color only into those regions in which the darker regions 9-12 are to be configured, and to configure the knitted base fabric in the brighter regions only from one knitted base fabric thread and weft thread, or a plurality of knitted base fabric threads and weft threads, that does/do not take up any color. This enables the pantyhose to be printed across the full area, for example across the entire length of the leg, since the color is taken up only in the region that is correspondingly provided and equipped to this end. The same applies in a similar manner in the case of large-area dyeing in a dye bath.

Alternatively thereto, there is the possibility to also knit the darker regions 9-12 by interknitting one knitted base fabric thread, or a plurality of knitted base fabric threads, which is/are somewhat darker in comparison to the knitted base fabric threads that form the brighter regions 13-16, and to configure the stepless, seamless transition by correspondingly varying the loop count in the individual courses, and similar. It is also conceivable that the knitted compression base fabric is composed of one or a plurality of thermally sensitive knitted base fabric thread or threads which is/are at least locally interknitted, thus from knitted base fabric threads which display a change of hue, thus permanently change their color, when correspondingly heated.

As has already been described, an active geometric shaping of the leg takes place on account of the compressive effect of the knitted compression fabric. On account of the configuration of the shaded effect, a visual “shaping of the leg” is moreover derived from the dark regions 9-12 and the bright regions 13-16, and the local positioning of said regions, such that the leg, when viewed from the front and the rear, looks overall slimmer. Said visual “shaping of the leg”, or said visual effect, respectively, is superimposed on the geometric shaping of the leg, which means that the leg appears to be even slimmer. Two effects are thus superimposed on one another here.

The effect of said “shaping of the leg” is to be illustrated by FIGS. 4 to 6 as comparative figures. FIGS. 4 to 6 show comparable views of a person 1, or the legs 2 of said person 1, respectively, wherein the person 1 in this case is wearing a normal commercially available pantyhose 17 which bears on the leg 2 by way of only a very minor pressure and does not have any kind of compressive properties. As can be seen, neither geometric nor a visual shaping of the leg takes place here, which means that the leg in the region of the calf and the upper leg, see the front-side and rear-side views according to FIGS. 4 and 5, appears to be significantly more massive than in the comparable views according to FIGS. 1 and 2. The active geometric shaping of the leg on account of the compressive properties as well as the additional visual shaping of the leg on account of the coloration are thus absent here.

Even if the pantyhose according to FIGS. 4 to 6 were to be a normal commercially available pantyhose which, as is known in the prior art according to U.S. Pat. No. 1,654,064, for example, has a shaded effect, the respective leg would still be significantly more massive, or appear to be significantly more massive, respectively, than in the comparative views according to FIGS. 1 and 2. This is because it has been very surprisingly demonstrated that a significant improvement of the shaping of the leg can be achieved on account of an embodiment of a shaded-effect pantyhose of this type, or generally a shaded-effect knitted fabric article of this type as a knitted compression fabric article, respectively, and that the two dissimilar effects, specifically the visual shaping of the leg on account of the shaded effect, on the one hand, and the active geometric shaping of the leg on account of the compression, on the other hand, can be advantageously superimposed.

For example, the knitted base fabric can be composed of one knitted base fabric thread or a plurality of knitted base fabric threads, which are bright, for example skin-colored and can be embodied so as to be transparent such that the skin of the leg is visible, or shines through, respectively, and forms the bright regions 13-16, or is responsible for the brightness of said regions 13-16, respectively, while the darker regions 9-12 are correspondingly printed or generated by darker knitted fabric threads. A brilliant thread, for example as an additional knitted base fabric thread, can also be incorporated into the knitted fabric article 3, thus the pantyhose 4, such that the pantyhose 4 apart from a matt effect also displays a brilliant effect which in turn is visually advantageous with a view to a slim appearance. 

1. A knitted fabric article, one or a plurality of dissimilarly bright and dark regions which transition into one another in a stepless manner being configured on the knitted fabric article external side of said knitted fabric article, which has a knitted base fabric composed of at least one knitted base fabric thread, wherein the knitted base fabric is embodied as a knitted compression fabric and/or as a thin knitted fabric which in the worn position is transparent.
 2. The knitted fabric article according to claim 1, wherein at least one elastic weft or support thread is inserted or interknitted in the knitted compression fabric.
 3. The knitted fabric article according to claim 1, wherein the brightness dissimilarities are formed by printing or coloration the knitted base fabric.
 4. The knitted fabric article according to claim 3, wherein the knitted base fabric has a base color and is only locally printed or dyed, or in that the knitted base fabric is completely printed or dyed.
 5. The knitted fabric article according to claim 4, wherein the knitted base fabric at least in portions is composed of a plurality of knitted base fabric threads which in terms of the printed color or the dyed color have dissimilar color uptake properties.
 6. The knitted fabric article , according to claim 5, wherein the knitted base fabric thread or threads that takes/take up the color are knitted only locally into the knitted base fabric.
 7. The knitted fabric article according to claim 6, wherein the loop count of the knitted base fabric threads that take up the color continuously decreases in the stepless transition region from one region to the neighboring region.
 8. The knitted fabric article according to claim 1, wherein the knitted base fabric is composed of a plurality of knitted base fabric threads, wherein the dissimilarly bright regions are formed by dissimilarly bright knitted base fabric threads.
 9. The knitted fabric article according to claim 8, wherein the loop count of the knitted base fabric threads having a dissimilar color in the stepless transition region continuously decreases from one region (9-12) to the neighboring region (13-16).
 10. The knitted fabric article according to claim 8, wherein also the colored weft or support thread on the knitted fabric external side are in part knitted in a loop-forming manner.
 11. The knitted fabric article according to claim 1, wherein knitted base fabric in terms of the external color is thermally sensitive, and the dissimilarly bright regions are generated by an at least local thermal treatment.
 12. The knitted fabric article according to claim 1, wherein the knitted base fabric is a non-transparent dark knitted fabric which has local brighter regions, or is a non-transparent knitted fabric which, in comparison to the base color of the knitted base fabric, has brighter and darker regions.
 13. The knitted fabric article according to claim 1, wherein the darker regions, in terms of the worn position, are provided on the lateral portions of the tubular knitted compression fabric article.
 14. The knitted fabric article according to claim 1, wherein said knitted fabric article is an arm or leg stocking, a pantyhose, an upper garment, or a torso garment.
 15. The knitted fabric article according to claim 13, which is embodied as a leg stocking or as a pantyhose, wherein the darker regions extend from the calf to beyond the upper leg, and/or in that said knitted fabric article has a graduated pressure profile, wherein the highest pressure is in the region of the ankle. 